Fire at INEOS Texas ethylene and propylene derivative unit contained
On July 13, there was an unfortunate incident involving a ruptured pipeline at an INEOS remote valve site located in Brazoria County. The incident resulted in a chemical release and massive flames, which were visible from across the bay. Residents in the nearby Galveston area, specifically those near Chocolate Bay, reportedly felt an explosion and were able to capture photos of the fire. This event has caused significant concern and is currently under investigation.
Recently, INEOS had to report a fire at a valve site due to a pipeline break. Unfortunately, the incident caused both ethylene and propylene to ignite, resulting in a hazardous situation. In response, the company had no choice but to let the flammable gases burn out, which took around four hours. In the meantime, the affected segments of the pipelines were isolated, and crews closed valves on either side of the ruptured section of the INEOS-operated pipelines to help extinguish the blaze. Thankfully, company and local emergency responders were present at the scene, and no injuries were reported. However, the cause of the fire is still undetermined, and the area is being monitored closely by air monitoring crews.
The INEOS Chocolate Bayou Complex is a highly advanced petrochemical site situated in the state of Texas, USA. The complex boasts two state-of-the-art mixed-feed crackers with an impressive annual production capacity of 3.03 million tonnes. Notably, the production capacity is set to increase significantly to 3.55 million tonnes by 2030, a testament to the site's commitment to innovation and excellence. The complex is proudly operated by INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA and INEOS Oxide, two companies known for their expertise in the production of petrochemical products.
According to Procurement Resource, on July 13, a valve site belonging to INEOS located in Brazoria County suffered an explosion and fire, which resulted from ruptured pipelines. Currently, the specific factors behind the incident are not yet known. As a precautionary measure, authorities chose to allow the flammable gases to burn out completely, which took approximately four hours. Fortunately, no individuals were harmed during the event, and the situation was successfully brought under control.
